That Was The News: Part 1

Also packing his bags was David Reeves, who retired as president of Sony Computer Entertainment after 14 years with the company. Eurogamer paid tribute. We still miss him.

Yet more controversies were on the cards in April. Sony offended the Universal Society of Hinduism by releasing Hanuman: Boy Warrior, while BioWare offended one in 10 members of the global population by claiming there's no homosexuality in Star Wars. Meanwhile, Konami realised releasing a game about a war that's still actually going on might not be such a good idea.

In Stupid News some researchers found that three million Americans are addicted to games, some other researchers claimed racing games make you more aggressive than shooters and the King of Norway refused to let a child call himself Sonic X. He's probably in league with Dr Robotnik.

Still, it was good to know Duke Nukem Forever was coming along nicely.

May

Duke Nuke Forever was canned after 3D Realms ran out of money and closed its doors. Good work everyone, 12 years well spent.

As the global economic meltdown continued more games companies were bitten by the monster munch. Both EA and Sony made billion-dollar losses, while Empire Interactive went bust. THQ lost $430 million but found enough change down the back of the sofa to send the Queen a gold Wii.

With just weeks to go until E3 there were more leaks than you'd find in a boat made of cheese graters. Rumours that a motion-sensor controller was in development for PS3 abounded. In addition, video footage of a new game from the creators of ICO appeared, suggesting it would be about a little boy and a big cat-monkey-eagle thing. And to top things off, Sony accidentally unveiled PSPgo.

Another report predicted Nintendo would announce more Mario and Zelda for Wii and a new balance board title called Wii Fit Plus.

Meanwhile there were rumours Microsoft was set to unveil a motion-sensing camera capable of tracking full-body movement and registering sounds at E3. There were also reports of Metal Gear Solid for Xbox 360. Also apparently due to be shown were a new Lionhead title, Forza 3, Assassin's Creed 2, Alan Wake, Splinter Cell Conviction, Halo ODST, All Points Bulletin, BioShock 2 and Lost Planet 2.

Spokespersons for all the companies refused to comment on the rumours. Apart from Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg, who told Eurogamer, "I can confirm that this post is completely uninformed and does not even come close to matching our news for E3."

June

Microsoft unveiled a motion-sensing camera capable of tracking full-body movement and registering sounds at E3, along with Metal Gear Solid for Xbox 360. Also shown were a new Lionhead title, Forza 3, Assassin's Creed 2, Alan Wake, Splinter Cell Conviction, Halo ODST, All Points Bulletin, BioShock 2 and Lost Planet 2.

Rumours that a motion-sensor controller was in development for PS3 were confirmed. In addition, video footage of a new game from the creators of ICO was shown, proving it would be about a little boy and a big cat-monkey-eagle thing. And to top things off, Sony officially unveiled PSPgo.

Nintendo announced more Mario and Zelda for Wii and a new balance board title called Wii Fit Plus. But it also stunned the audience at its press conference with the previously unheard of Women's Murder Club and the world exclusive unveiling of the Vitality Sensor.

There was also some unexpected excitement as a galaxy of film, music and sports stars came out to pretend they care about videogames. James Cameron put in an appearance, as did Steven Spielberg, Pele, Pete Sampras and the two Beatles who aren't dead.

In addition Warren G, Jay-Z and Eminem performed at the DJ Hero party, which some of us were forced to miss due to having to stay at the hotel and write some stupid Project Natal exclusive. Thanks a LOT, some holiday THAT turned out to be er business trip.

Not much happened after E3. Bethesda bought id Software, EA annoyed some Christians, Obama said some things about games, Microsoft said Natal's not racist and something about Jade Raymond. Also: Tim Curry.